SHHH
Self Help for Hard of Hearing People                                                                                                                             
SAN JOSE CHAPTER                          
(408) 248-7294   voice        
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THE CORRECT SEQUENCE OF STEPS FOR GETTING A HEARING AID:

To avoid disappointment and failure, these steps should be followed in this order.  do not skip any step.  

 1.  See your family doctor if you have one.  If not, get an 
appointment with a licensed medical doctor.  (M.D.)
2.  If the doctor finds no obvious physical cause for the hearing problem, ask the doctor to recommend an ear doctor  (otologist or otolaryngologist) for a thorough examination.
3.  The otologist will likely send you to a licensed clinical audiologist  for a hearing test.   The audiologist will give you a chart, called an audiogram--which graphically describes your hearing loss and is used by the hearing aid dispenser to carefully select and fit a hearing aid.  
4.  Shop  as cautiously for the hearing aid as you would for any other major purchase.   It is strongly recommended that you talk to at least three different dispensers before you proceed.  Make sure you are comfortable with the hearing aid dispenser. When you decide to go ahead with the purchase, realize that you have a thirty day "free" trial privilege as prescribed by state law.  Many dispensers will be willing to extend this trial period.  
   The first step the dispenser will take is to make an impression of your ear canal (much like a dentist makes an impression for fitting dentures).   There is a non-refundable fee for making the  impression and making the earmold for the hearing aid.  Before you decide on a particular hearing aid, make sure that it has a telecoil.  this is usually an optional extra,  but it is recommended that you do not buy a hearing aid without this feature.  the telecoil is very important because it permits use of many assistive listening systems now being installed in public places in compliance with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).
5.  When you get the hearing aid, try to realize that no hearing aid will restore normal hearing.  the sounds may be strange and uncomfortable.   At this point many people wrongly give up and the hearing aid winds up in a dresser drawer where it can't help you hear.  Wear it and use it as much as you can.  You have to learn to hear all over again.  during the 30 day trial period do not hesitate to return to the dispenser as often as you need or want to for adjustments and advice.
6.  If, as the 30 day limit is approached and you are still not  getting any help from the hearing aid--return it and try another or go to another dispenser.  Note that if the hearing aid is a behind-the-ear type, you can use the ear mold made for the original with any other  b.t.e. aid without having to pay again for another ear mold; however, for a canal aid or an in-the-ear aid, there will usually have to be another impression and mold made.

   At any step  along the way, you should consider joining our SHHH organization for support and  guidance.   the $30./year membership fee is a small fraction of the cost of a hearing aid, and the help you get from your "peers with poor ears" will help you along the way to hearing health and happiness!
                                                           
                                                      Paul Stein